Epic Test Code LAB13501 Interleukin 28B (IL28B) Variant (rs12979860), Varies
Additional Codes
MML:IL28Q
Specimen Required
Multiple genotype tests can be performed on a single specimen after a single extraction. See Multiple Genotype Test List for a list of tests that can be ordered together.
Patient Preparation: A previous bone marrow transplant from an allogenic donor will interfere with testing. For information about testing patients who have received a bone marrow transplant, call 800-533-1710.
Submit only 1 of the following specimens:
Specimen Type: Whole blood
Container/Tube:
Preferred: Lavender top (EDTA)
Acceptable: None
Specimen Volume: 3 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Invert several times to mix blood.
2. Send whole blood specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.
Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred) 4 days/Refrigerated 4 days/Frozen 4 days
Additional Information:
1. Specimens are preferred to be received within 4 days of collection. Extraction will be attempted for specimens received after 4 days, and DNA yield will be evaluated to determine if testing may proceed.
2. To ensure minimum volume and concentration of DNA is met, the preferred volume of blood must be submitted. Testing may be canceled if DNA requirements are inadequate.
Specimen Type: Saliva
Patient Preparation: Patient should not eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum 30 minutes prior to collection.
Supplies: Saliva Swab Collection Kit (T786)
Specimen Volume: 1 Swab
Collection Instructions: Collect and send specimen per kit instructions.
Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred) 30 days/Refrigerated 30 days
Additional information: Saliva specimens are acceptable but not recommended. Due to lower quantity/quality of DNA yielded from saliva, some aspects of the test may not perform as well as DNA extracted from a whole blood sample. When applicable, specific gene regions that were unable to be interrogated will be noted in the report. Alternatively, additional specimen may be required to complete testing.
Specimen Type: Extracted DNA
Container/Tube:
Preferred: Screw Cap Micro Tube, 2mL with skirted conical base
Acceptable: Matrix tube, 1mL
Specimen Volume: 100 mcL
Collection Instructions:
1. The preferred volume is at least 100 mcL at a concentration of 75 ng/mcL.
2. Include concentration and volume on tube.
Specimen Stability Information: Frozen (preferred) 1year /Ambient/Refrigerated
Additional Information: DNA must be extracted in a CLIA-certified laboratory or equivalent and must be extracted from a specimen type listed as acceptable for this test (including applicable anticoagulants). Our laboratory has experience with Chemagic, Puregene, Autopure, MagnaPure, and EZ1 extraction
platforms and cannot guarantee that all extraction methods are compatible with this test. If testing fails, one repeat will be attempted, and if unsuccessful, the test will be reported as failed and a charge will be applied. If applicable, specific gene regions that were unable to be interrogated due to DNA quality will be noted in the report.
Forms
1. New York Clients-Informed consent is required. Document on the request form or electronic order that a copy is on file. The following documents are available:
-Informed Consent for Genetic Testing (T576)
-Informed Consent for Genetic Testing-Spanish (T826)
2. If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Therapeutics Test Request (T831) with the specimen.
Useful For
Predicting responsiveness of genotype 1 hepatitis C viral infections to combined pegylated-interferon and ribavirin-based therapies
Special Instructions
Method Name
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) With Allelic Discrimination Analysis
Reporting Name
IL28B Genotype, VSpecimen Type
VariesSpecimen Minimum Volume
See Specimen Required
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
---|---|---|
Varies | Varies |
Reject Due To
All specimens will be evaluated at Mayo Clinic Laboratories for test suitability.Clinical Information
Individuals with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 infections have variable responses to treatment with pegylated-interferon and ribavirin combination therapy. Some individuals will respond to treatment with sustained viral response, while other patients have poor response and fail to achieve sustained viral clearance.
Response to pegylated-interferon and ribavirin combination therapy in HCV genotype 1-infected individuals has been found to be closely associated with a single-nucleotide variant (SNV), designated rs12979860, located 3 kilobases upstream from the interleukin 28B gene locus (IL28B, also known as IFNL3) present on human chromosome 19.
HCV genotype 1-infected individuals with the CC genotype, as compared to either the CT or TT genotypes, of this SNP in IL28B have approximately 2- to 3-fold greater rates of sustained viral response to combined pegylated-interferon and ribavirin therapy.(1) Similar increases in sustained viral response rates were observed across various racial groups, including European Americans (95% CI, 1.8- to 2.3-fold), African Americans (95% CI, 1.9- to 4.7-fold), and Hispanics (95% CI, 1.4- to 3.2-fold).(1) The CC genotype has also been associated with a 3-fold increase in rate of spontaneous clearance of HCV.(2,4) The SNV in IL28B is only one of many factors that can influence response rates to pegylated-interferon and ribavirin combination therapy in HCV genotype 1 infection, and the SNV genotype result should be interpreted in the context of other clinical factors present in a given patient.
Frequency of the rs12979860 C allele varies across different racial and ethnic groups. The rs12979860 C variant is most frequently present in individuals from East Asia (allele frequency >0.9) and least common in individuals of African origin (allele frequency 0.2-0.5).(2) In a recent US-based study, the favorable CC genotype was observed in 37% of Whites, 29% Hispanics, and 14% of African Americans tested.
The mechanism by which the IL28B genotype mediates response to pegylated-interferon and ribavirin combination therapy among HCV genotype 1-infected individuals is not yet understood and is the subject of intense ongoing research. The impact of the IL28B-related alteration on response rates in patients infected with HCV genotypes other than genotype 1 is still being investigated.
Reference Values
An interpretive report will be provided.
Interpretation
The interpretive report includes an overview of the findings as well as the associated clinical significance.
Cautions
Rare variants may be present that could lead to false-negative or false-positive results. If results obtained do not match the clinical findings (phenotype), additional testing should be considered.
Samples may contain donor DNA if obtained from patients who received non-leukoreduced blood transfusions or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Results from samples obtained under these circumstances may not accurately reflect the recipient's genotype. For individuals who have received blood transfusions, the genotype usually reverts to that of the recipient within 6 weeks. For individuals who have received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, a pretransplant DNA specimen is recommended for testing.
For liver transplant patients, the IL28B genotype of the recipient and the donor are independent predictors of sustained virologic response with combined pegylated-interferon and ribavirin therapy.(3)
This test does not detect variants other than the rs12979860 single-nucleotide variant.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Report Available
3 to 7 daysSpecimen Retention Time
Whole blood, saliva swab: 2 weeks (if available); Extracted DNA: 3 monthsPerforming Laboratory

CPT Code Information
81283